GLP-1 weight-loss drugs may also reduce binge eating

By Dr. Liji Thomas, MDReviewed by Lauren HardakerJul 20 2026

Researchers found consistent reductions in binge-eating-related symptoms across 25 clinical trials, suggesting GLP-1 medicines could one day complement psychological treatment. 

Study: The effectiveness of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) on binge eating in patients with obesity: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Image credit: Pixel-Shot/Shutterstock.com

After analyzing evidence from trials involving more than 8,000 people, researchers found that GLP-1 weight-loss drugs were linked to lower binge-eating severity, reduced loss of control around food, and less disinhibited eating in adults with overweight or obesity. Published in the journal eClinicalMedicine, the findings suggest that GLP-1RAs could be a useful addition for treating binge-eating symptoms. However, researchers caution that the current evidence is largely short-term and more robust long-term studies are still needed. 

Could GLP-1 drugs tackle binge eating?

Binge eating disorder affects an estimated 17 million people worldwide and is characterized by repeated episodes of consuming unusually large amounts of food while feeling unable to stop. The condition is linked to a range of physical and mental health problems, yet treatment options remain limited. While psychological therapies can help, their benefits may diminish over time, and few approved medications are available.

As GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) have become widely used to treat obesity and type 2 diabetes, researchers have increasingly wondered whether they could also help reduce binge eating. In addition to suppressing appetite, boosting insulin secretion and slowing stomach emptying, these drugs appear to influence brain pathways involved in food reward and cravings, making them a potential candidate for tackling the loss of control that characterizes binge eating.

However, until now, robust evidence from randomized clinical trials has been limited. Researchers have also questioned whether the increase in cognitive or dietary restraint seen with GLP-1RAs reflects healthier control over eating or a more rigid form of food restriction that could prove harmful. Likewise, little is known about how these drugs affect body dissatisfaction, another common feature among people living with obesity and binge eating disorder.

Review analysed evidence from 25 clinical trials

Researchers conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of 25 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving 8,069 participants (about two-thirds female and predominantly White). They included trials comparing any GLP-1RA with placebo or another active treatment that measured binge eating or related eating behaviors. The meta-analysis included 24 of these trials.

The RCTs were based across 12 countries on four continents, but involved only high- or middle-income countries, mostly Western. The duration ranged between 6 and 104 weeks. Median participant age was 47 years, and all participants were overweight or obese. Median body mass index (BMI) at baseline was 35.8 kg/m² with a high median waist circumference at 113 cm.

Reduction in binge eating

Compared with placebo or other control treatments, people taking GLP-1RAs generally reported fewer binge-eating-related symptoms. Across the trials, the drugs were linked to reductions in binge eating severity, less disinhibited eating (where people struggle to resist food despite not being physically hungry), and fewer episodes of feeling out of control while eating. When the researchers combined these related measures, they found an overall moderate improvement in binge-eating-related symptoms. However, because the studies differed considerably in how they measured these behaviors and the types of participants they enrolled, the authors caution that the pooled estimate should be interpreted carefully.

The benefits also appeared to extend beyond binge eating itself. Participants taking GLP-1RAs reported lower levels of emotional eating, suggesting they were less likely to eat in response to stress or negative emotions. At the same time, they showed higher levels of cognitive or dietary restraint, conscious efforts to regulate food intake. While this could reflect healthier control over eating, the researchers note that restraint can also become overly rigid or restrictive in some people, particularly those vulnerable to eating disorders, meaning its long-term implications remain uncertain.

The largest improvements were seen in the small number of trials that specifically enrolled people with binge eating disorder or were designed to reduce binge eating. Although this pattern suggests that GLP-1RAs may confer greater benefits in people already experiencing these symptoms, the evidence is based on only three studies, all judged to be at high risk of bias. As a result, the researchers say there is not yet enough evidence to conclude that the drugs are more effective specifically for treating binge eating disorder.

Researchers urge caution interpreting the current evidence

The authors assessed all included studies as having either some concerns or a high risk of bias. Twelve studies were rated as high risk, including all those that included or recruited participants with binge eating disorder, while the remaining studies were rated as having some concerns.

There was a relatively modest evidence base overall, with substantially fewer studies contributing to some individual analyses, and there was substantial heterogeneity between trials. These limitations reduce confidence in the pooled estimates.

The age and ethnicity profiles, and the range of obesity measures, of participants included in these studies, limit the generalizability of the findings, especially to ethnic minority groups, other age groups, people with severe or treatment-resistant obesity, and psychiatric illness. In addition, most studies focused on short-term effects, with little information on appetite or weight rebounds after treatment was stopped.

Most studies focused on liraglutide, whereas the newer GLP-1RAs have better appetite-suppressant and weight-reduction actions. The pooled estimates may be underestimates of the efficacy of newer agents, although the review could not determine whether stronger weight-loss effects necessarily translate into greater reductions in binge eating. In addition, very few studies reported body image outcomes.

GLP-1 drugs could complement existing binge eating care

The findings represent among the earliest evidence that GLP-1RAs may be a promising adjunct to therapy targeting binge eating, disinhibited and loss-of-control eating behaviors, and emotional eating, in obese or overweight individuals. In addition, they suggest increased cognitive or dietary restraint.

While these drugs are established for weight loss, their potential utility in reducing binge eating and related symptoms is a promising field of research. Current evidence comes mostly from trials funded by the drug makers, with multiple sources of bias.

The authors caution that GLP-1RAs should not be viewed as standalone solutions but as one component of a broader treatment approach that includes psychological support. Drawing on feedback from the study’s lived-experience panel, one participant said, “It's just a tool - it's not a fix. It will help for the short term, but the psychological support needs to be there too.”

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